I glanced back to answer Chii’s question. But then, I noticed the two juniors also looking at me, their faces filled with apprehension. That put a little smile on my face because it means one thing.
They’re conflicted on whether to tell Chii about what happened and the things they discovered concerning me or not.
Are they being considerate of both of us? Possibly.
They’re aware that for normal couples, what I did or showed to them could already be a dealbreaker. It might spell our breakup and they’re probably on the fence on who to side with.
They liked their Chii-chan-senpai even though she was sort of a menace to them. Well, she’s not exactly a menace but they’re always on their toes when she’s around.
On the other hand, they’ve also grown accustomed to me. As to what extent, possibly more than I could imagine.
While my girls were aware of how effective my glib tongue and my consideration should be, it’s the opposite for me.
I was only acting like myself around Sumire and Umi. And that’s why I couldn’t gauge how much influence I really had exercised on them. Unless it’s from my deliberate attempt to catch them like my targets, I could be considered a dense idiot.
“Uh. What did I do, huh? Let’s say both of them found out something about me.”
It’s a vague answer. However, since it was Chii, the girl instantly picked up what I meant.
Her eyebrows curled before returning to her previous state. Ah. She pinched the soft spot of my ear though. That’s her little gesture to say that I’ve been naughty.
Not long after that, I heard both Umi and Sumire’s subdued voices as they relayed what they saw and heard to Chii. Naturally, with how loud the place was, I couldn’t pick up any of their sentences. At the very least, Chii calmly and patiently listened to them, acting like the understanding senior that she is.
She took down her gyaru mask which exaggerated her manner of speaking and reactions and communicated with the two like how she is normally around me.
That surprised the two, of course. However, since we’re in a public space, they’re mindful of how they would react.
When I took another glance at them, Chii was doing a peace sign to me while having a proud smile as if she was telling me that she successfully resolved it.
As for the other two, Umi was covering half of her face with her bag but it’s easy to notice her reddened ears. Upon meeting my gaze, she acted more embarrassed but little by little she lowered her bag, showing me her pursed lips. If I had to guess, the girl had something to say to me. It wouldn’t be positive, of course. Then Sumire was openly showing her disdain to me but at the same time, she also couldn’t bring forth hatred in her eyes. She’s probably going to complain to me about something or tell me that I was doing Chii wrong.
Anyway, I wouldn’t really know what’s in their mind if I don’t talk to them.
And that’s why, after spending the first fifteen minutes of the first half, sneakily doting on Izumi, Maaya, and Hana while we’re focused on the match below, I moved back to sit alongside them.
Perhaps expecting what I was going to do, Chii already prepared an open space on Umi’s right where she could move so that I could take her seat in between the two juniors.
Yep. She’s also one of my girls who could always accurately read my intentions.
“Alright, you two. Anything you want to say to me? Don’t worry, I won’t think badly of it. You’re confused, right?”
As soon as I sat down, I grabbed both of their wrists and said that in a volume that only they could hear.
Naturally, I also tried to be more inconspicuous when moving to this seat. There’s nothing good with attracting attention, after all. It’s also great that most of the audience was fully concentrated on watching the heated match on the court.
Like I said, it’s five minutes left before the first half ends and... it’s actually our team who has a six-point lead. It’s something no one was expecting. But even then, it still didn’t spell the end of the game. And that’s why the cheering squad from the Kitarai High were all noisily screaming Defense or Offense as the ball possession juggled between the two teams.
“Super shameless senpai, I have no idea that you are a scum. How could you...” Sumire opened her mouth first as she aired out her indignation.
She didn’t finish that sentence but just by looking at her trembling eyes, I could already pick up what she held back on saying.
“Mhm. That, I am. I should be labeled like that with or without the knowledge of how complex of a person I am.”
That’s how it is, anyway. It’s actually more absurd that none of my girls are labeling me like that. They love me but that shouldn’t stop them from doing so, right?
But then again, the structure of our complex relationship has me as the core. That’s the umbrella shielding me from being labeled like that.
“Ugh. I was hoping you won’t just casually accept it.”
“Should I take it back?”
“... That’s possible? No... You’re really a shameless senpai. I don’t know what to think anymore. Am I also a precious junior to you?”
That question. Well, she probably heard it from Umi. I honestly told the girl what I thought of her earlier and she didn’t leave it out when confessing to Chii. Really, what a precious junior...
I took a glance at the girl who still kept her mouth shut. She’s listening to us so... she quickly tried to escape my gaze but with nowhere to hide from, the girl used my shoulder. She put her head behind it.
Due to that, I couldn’t help but loosen my grip on her wrist before sliding it down to her clasped hand. Slowly but surely, I unfolded her small fingers. And as I felt her warm breath quickly spreading on my back with her hurried breathing, my unstoppable fingers soon fitted on the gaps, clasping our hands together.
At the same time as that, I leaned my head to my right and whispered my answer to Sumire, “Of course, you are. Otherwise, I won’t be talking like this with you. Call me a snob or anything but I only really concerned myself over those I care about. You and Umi are like that to me.”
“Geez. Kii, you’re making me jealous here.” Chii interjected at this point. She’s giggling like she’s watching a funny sitcom. Obviously, she saw how I dealt with Umi. Even if our hands were hidden from her sight, the girl’s reaction was enough of a clue.
But thanks to Chii, it allowed Sumire and Umi to get space to breathe. Sumire nudged my arm with her forehead while puffing her cheeks. Umi, on the other hand, moved her head to look at our clasped hands. Her trembling fingers then eventually pressed on my skin, tightening her hold on me.
“Hmm? Want a kiss and a hug for that, Chii? It will be in public though.” I playfully replied to the girl.
And that earned me a great look at her embarrassed expression. Like her juniors, Chii pouted and pointed at me.
“... See that? That’s how shameless he is. He’s not bad but he’s not that good either. It all depends on how you view him. But one thing is for sure, he’s not someone who will say words he didn’t mean to. If he says he cares about you then... believe me, he won’t back down on it and stay true to his words even if you end up hating or not liking him.”
In the end, Chii still tried to help me here. The girl... I should really spoil her soon... I should’ve called her to join us at the karaoke later.
Anyway, Sumire and Umi listened and started processing her words while both of them were as close to me as possible. To be fair, I also slid my hand down and Sumire surprisingly opened her hand as if she was waiting for me to do it.
While that was happening, the game below had reached the last two minutes of the first half.
Our school’s lead widened. From six it’s now ten, causing the students in our school to match the cheers from the other side.
Looks like they’re going to win in this case but there’s still the second half that would decide the game. I hope Satsuki can carry the pressure when she gets subbed in.
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